This year's NEET entrance exam has underscored significant vulnerabilities in the system once presented as a flawless gateway for medical admissions. Malpractices, including question paper leaks, have disrupted the admission process, delaying ranks and jeopardizing the credibility of the exam. A seven-member commission, appointed by the Centre, recently submitted a report recommending critical reforms aimed at restoring the integrity of NEET and ensuring fair opportunities for aspiring medical students. The committee has urged the government to implement these measures for the upcoming exam cycle, promising a more transparent process beneficial to dedicated students nationwide.

With over 20 lakh students participating annually, NEET stands unmatched in scale. However, the commission found current systems inadequate for verifying candidates' authenticity, heightening the risk of impersonation. To counter this, the report suggests adopting advanced verification methods, such as the “Digi Travel System” used in air travel, to ensure that only genuine candidates access examination centers.

Another key recommendation is limiting the frequency of NEET attempts. Currently, students may retake NEET indefinitely, but the commission proposes holding the exam twice a year, similar to the JEE, to streamline the process and reduce risks associated with multiple exam sittings.

To enhance exam security, the committee calls for forming a dedicated team of experts to develop and conduct NEET, with minimal outsourcing. Given recent failures attributed to the National Testing Agency (NTA), the commission emphasizes re-evaluating NTA's role, staffing examination centers adequately, and exploring more secure examination formats. Where online exams are unfeasible, a hybrid model—delivering questions online and recording responses on OMR sheets—could reduce risks associated with paper-based exams.

Increased security protocols are essential for the NEET exam’s credibility. Last year’s breaches, which also affected the UGC’s NET exam, underscore the need for stringent safeguards. The commission suggests holding NEET at government-controlled centers, such as state schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas, to reduce potential irregularities. Transitioning entirely to an online system, if feasible, could further bolster exam security and efficiency.

Although the final report from the expert committee, led by former ISRO Chairman Dr. Radhakrishnan, remains pending, the Centre has sought two additional weeks from the Supreme Court to finalize recommendations. Implementing these reforms is crucial not only to the integrity of NEET but also to the transparency of India's broader entrance exam ecosystem. Preserving credibility and fairness in higher education exams is an essential commitment to future generations, and any delay in action could erode public trust in these institutions.